Bumper for electric lamps



'Oct. 27, 1931. J. P. EASTMAN 1,829,345

BUMPER FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS Filed June 3, '1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l gwuentocOct. 27, 1931. v.1. P. EASTMAN 1,829,345

, BUMPER FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS Filed June 3, 1929 2 Sheets-Shem 2 PatentedOct. 27, 1931 UNITED STATES JOSEPH P. EASTMAN, ornamrowoc, wrscoirsmBUMPER Eon. ELEc'riuc Lmrs Application filed June 3, 1929. Serial N0.361,912.

This invention relates to bumpers for electric lamps.

Where electric lamps are used on cable extensions, as in garages,machine sho s, and similar places, they are often dragge along the floorand occasionally accidentally dropped. The metal cages provided for thelamps partly protect the glass, but they fail wholly to protect thefilament against sudden shocks, with the consequence that the filamentsare very often broken, and the glass is also occasionally broken;

This invention is designed" to overcome the defects noted above, andobjects of such invention are to rovide a novel form of bumper forelectric lamps which cooperates with the lamp and the cage, and providesa cushioned bumper structure which absorbs or cushions the shocks andgreatly lengthens the life of the lamp, both as regards the filament andthe lass.

Further ob ects are to provide a construction of bumper for electriclamps which is so made that it will not catch upon projections, but willslide freely thereover, which afi'ords an insulating or nonconductingsafety handle, such handle surrounding the socket and the portion of thecable adjacent the socket, and which is so constructed that it eepswater out of these arts and protects the user against electric shocks.

It is frequently necessary to insert the lamp and cage in a relativelyconfined space,

and this invention contemplates, as further objects, the provision ofcushioning means or bumpers which are so constructed that they may beeither crushed or folded to permit the free insertion of the lamp andcage in a confined s ace, or may be remozed, as occasion deman s.

. Further objects are to provide a novel form of protecting meansforelectric lamps which is so made that. a cushioning eifect is producedadjacent the base of the lamp and also adjacent the outer end thereof,and in which the construction provides a cushioning support for the lampso that it may be placed upon an desired object and will yet provide theyiel ing support which completely cushions the lamp and cage from actualcontact with the support itself, thereby minimizing the transmission ofvibrations to the filament of the lamp. This construction, therefore,permits the placing of the cushioned lamp upon a vibrating support withthe assurance that the ars will not be transmitted to the filament withan intensity sufiicient to damage the filament. When it is consideredthat these lamps are frequently placed upon running engines, as ingarage work, for instance, it Wlll immediately be seen that the dangerof a rapid deterioration or breaking of the fi%ament from continuedjarring will not take p ace.

A further object is to. provide a bumper construction for electric lampswhich is so made that it will prevent the lamp from rollmg and willprovide a pluralit of faces, any of which may contact with t e support.

Further objects are to provide a construction of bumper in whichprovision is made for the ready attachment of the cage so that accessmay be freely had to the screws, bolts or other means by which the cageis secured, in which rotection is alforded for the cable ad acent t elamp socket, and in which a compact and easily handled construction isproduced.

Further objects are to provide a bumper construction for electric lampswhich is very cheap in manufacturing cost, which is easy to apply, andwhich is relatively simple.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich c Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the deviceshowing one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is atransverse sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure-5 is a fragmentary sectional detail showing a modified form ofthe invention.

Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 showing a further form ofthe invention,

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Fi e 8 is a transverse sectional view on the lme 88 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of another form of the invention.

Figure 10 is a sectional view 10-.-10 of Figure 9.

Referring'to Figures 1 to 4 showing the first form of the invention, itwill be seen that a lamp socket indicated generally by the referencecharacter 1 has been shown as securely ittached to a cable 2. This lampsocket may be of the form shown in my copending ap-- lication for UnitedStates Letters Patent N. 352,082 filed April 3. 1929 for lamp sockets,or it may be any desired type.

The lamp socket and the adjacent portion of the cable 2 are covered by arubber sleeve 3, which has a rearwardly extending portion 4 of lesserdiameter than the main body portion of the sleeve. This sleeve fitstightly over the lamp socket and over the adjacent portion of the cable,and completely houses the lamp socket. It is provided with an outwardlyprojecting flange or portion 5 which continues in the form of aforwardly proj ect ing overhangin lip 6. This lip preferably terminatesin a orwardly and outwardly flaring beaded lip 7 The forwardlyoverhanging portion 6 is spaced from the portion 3, as is. apparent fromFigure 1, and provides an annular space for the reception of the endclamp 8 of the wire cage 9 for the electric lamp, (the electric lampbeing dotted for on the line the sake of-clearness). This cage may be ofany standard type. For instance, it may have a plurality of spacedwires, in the form shown eight in number, which are loosely clamped toan outer perforated endplate 10. Preferably this ca e is formed in halfsections, so that it may Ee opened out slightly at its rear end toreceive the lamp, in accordance with the usual practice. After the cageis posi-.

tioned, the clamping ring 8 is drawn together by means of screws orbolts 11, these screws or bolts assin through outwardly turned ears 12 othe ring 8, as shown in Figures 1 and p 4. The rin 8 is thereforeclamped upon the forwar part of the portion 3 of the bumper orprotecting sleeve. The extreme outer end of the portion.3 is preferablyprovided with an outwardly projecting flan e 13, which may be providedwith small notc es for the reception of the curved or inwardly'turnedportions of the wires ofv the ca e.

The forwardly projecting annular lip 6 may be turned rearwardly into thedotted line position shown in Figure 1 to give access to the screws 11.If desired, this lip 6 may be provided with apertures 13, through which.

a screw driver may be inserted for engagement with the screws12.

The invention contemplates the use of a forward bumper as well as therear bumper" described in detail above. This forward greater diameterthan that of bum er may take the form of an annular mem er or ring ofrubber. It may have any of several different cross-sectional contours,for instance, it may be formed V-shaped or U-shaped, as shown in Figurel and indicated by the reference character 14, or it may be of circularshape as indicated b the reference character 15 in Figure 6. bviouslyother shapes could be employed without departing from the spirit of thisinvention. This forward bumper provides a cushioning or yielding supportfor the forward portion of the cage, and consequently provides ayielding support which cushions any shocks which would otherwise betransmitted to the electric lamp.

From a consideration of Figure 1, it is clear that the device normallyrests upon the rear bumper when it is laid upon a support. Obviously,when the device is drag ed along the floor, it rides upon the lip 7 ofthe rear bum r and sometimes, also upon the outwar ly projecting lip ofthe forward bumper,

,as shown in Figure 1. This provides a cushioning for the lamp andprevents shattering of the filament. It is also clear that if the deviceshould be inadvertently drop ed, it will be cushioned by the forward anrearward bumpers, and the shock will be greatly lessened.

It is preferable to form the lip 7 of the rear bumper of polygonalshape, such, for example, as indicated in Figure 3. In the form of cageshown in the drawings, an eightwire cage is illustrated and the shape ofthe lip 7 may therefore conveniently be octagonal. Obviousl when theforward bumper is stretched over the forward end of the cage, it willalso take an octagonal shape, as shown in Figure 2.

This construction, therefore, provides bumpers which have polygonalouter outlines, and thus provide aligned faces, any of which may restupon a support. This construction guards against rolling of the lampsidewise.

It is also to be noted that these lamps are frequently used in confinedspaces. Under these conditions it may be desirable to remove the frontbumper, which can readily be done by merely slipping or rolling itforwardly over the end of the wire cage. The rear bumper may be turnedbackwardly, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. The device thenpresents no projecting portion of t e cage, and consequently the devicemay be inserted in a very restricted space.

It is within the province of this invention to make both of the bumperportions r'emovable, if desired. The front bumper, as pre-v viouslydescribed, is readily removable, although it may not inadvertently bedetached from the cage, as it is drawn tightly over, and clings to thecage. The rear bumper may be made removable by constructing it as shownin Figure 5. In this form of the invention the rear bumper is providedwith the overhanging lip 6 and may be provided with a forwardl andoutwardly flaring beaded edge 7'. t is provided with a rear "rippingbody portion 16, which fits over the ody portion 3 of the main rubbersleeve, such body portion corresponding to the portion 3 previouslydescribed. Preferably the body portion 3 of the main sleeve is providedwith a small outwardl projectin rib 17, against which the curve rear endthe portion 16 abuts.

It is apparent, in this last described form of the invention, that therear bumper may be readily removed by slipping or rolling it rearwardlyout of position. Under normal conditions, when in the assembled positionshown in Fzigure 5, the removable bumper clings to an binds against theportion 3 of the main rubber sleeve.

If desired, each of the portions 3 or 3 may be provided with an annulargroove for the reception of the clamping ring 8.

Referring to Figures 6, 7 and 8 showing a still further form of theinvention, it will be seen that a rubber sleeve 18 has been shown asrovided with a rear portion 19 similar to t e portion 4, and with anoutwardly projecting disc-like flan e or bumper portion 20. This flangeor umper portion 20 is also preferably of polygonal contour, forinstance, it may be octagonal, as previously described. Even ifthisforward bumper is made of ring-like contour, it nevertheless will bedrawn into a wires of the cage.

The portion 18 com letely houses the lamp socket 1, as previous ydescribed, and may be provided with an annular groove for the receptionof the clamping ring 8 of the cage 9. Preferably this part of the deviceis provided with an outwardly projecting flange 21 which may be notchedto provide room for the wires of the cage adjacent to the clamping ring.The forward bumper has been previously described and may take the formshown in Figure 6, that is to say, it may be of circular cross section.It is obvious, of course, that any form of outer bumper can be employedin connection with, or associated with any form of rear bumper withoutdeparting from the spirit of this invention.

The outer bumper in all forms clings tight- 1 Y to the cage, and cannotbe dragged off or dhslodged in the ordinary use of the apparatus.

It is within the province of this invention to form either or both ofthe bumpers of other material than rubber, for example, as shown inFigures 9 and 10, the bumpers may be formed of spring wire.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, it will be seen that the rear bumpercomprises a coil polygonal shape by the or helical body portion 22 whichis formed integrall wit a spaced outer loop 23 held outward y from thebody of the ca e 9 by the resiliency of the spring wire. Pre erable theouter end of the wire is provided with a small loop 24 (see Figure 10),which interlooks with the adjacent convolution of the inner bumper.

The rear bumper is positioned or removed by rotating it in either one orthe other of the two directions. For instance, as shown in Figure 9, itis rotated like a right-handed screw in positioning it, so that it inreality screws itself into place.

The forward bumper is formed in a manner somewhat similar to the rearbumper. It is provided with a coiled inner portion 25 which surroundsthe wire cage, and this coiled inner portion carries the outer rin 26,which is held spaced from the cage 9 and thus provides a yielding bumperconstruct-ion. Both the forward and rear bumpers are preferablyoctagonal, or of other polygonal shapes.

The invention may be used with any type of lamp socket, but it ispreferable to use the safety or insulated lamp socket referred to in myabove noted copending application. As a matter of fact, the sleeveconstruction outlined in this invention constitutes in itself a safetysleeve, and guards against electric shocks for the operator.

It is to be noted that the outwardly projecting portion of each form ofthe bumper forms a balancing point for the device. The proportion of theparts may be such that the lamp balances approximately about this point,orelse so that the rear portion of the lamp unit is the heavier, or, ifdesired, the forward portion may be made heavier than the rear portionas regards the balancing point. In the form shown in Figure 1, it ispreferable to have the center of gravity rearwardly of the rear bumper,although in the form shown in Figure 6 the center of gravity may beforwardly of the rear bumper. 4

It is clear that the bumper construction may take any one of severaldifferent forms, provided a cushioning support is afforded for the wirecage and lamp. The formsof invention illustrated in the drawings areeminently practicaland may be used with the same freedom that theordinary cage now possesses. In fact, a lamp equipped with the bumpersdescribed in this invention will withstand more severe abuse than hasheretofore been possible with the ordinary types of construction.

It will be seen, therefore, that a very serviceable, simple and reliabletype of bumper has been provided which fully cushions the lamp andprevents breaking of either the filament or the glass of the lamp, whichis easy to apply} and which is relatively inexpensive.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, it isto be understood that the description isinot intended as limiting but isintended as illustrative, as the invention may be variously embodied andis to be interpreted. as'claimed.

I claim:

1. An electric lamp unit comprisin I a socket,'.a-' lamp, a safetysleeve -surroun ing said socket, a rear bumper'of resilient materialsurrounding said sleeve and constitutin abalancing point, a cagesurrounding sai lamp, and a forward umper of resilient materialsurrounding said cage and located forwardly of said balancing point.

2. An electric lamp-unit comprising a socket, a lamp, a safety sleevesurrounding said socket, a rear bumper of resilient material Isurrounding said sleeve and constituting a balancing point, a cagesurrounding said lamp, and aforward bumper of resilient materialsurrounding said cageand located forwardly o f said balancing point,said forward bumper. being of polygonal contour, whereby the tendency ofthe unit to roll is reduced.

..3... ,An electric lamp unit comprising a sock- ..et,fa"lamp, a safetysleeve surrounding said et, a lamp, a safety sleeve surrounding saidsocket, a rear bum r, of resilient materialsurrounding said s eeve andconstituting a balancing, point, a cage surrounding said lamp, andaforward bumper of resilient ma- 'terial surroundin said cage and locatedforwardly of said ba ancing point, said forward 1 bumper being in theform of a collar of sub stantially V-section, a side .of the. V lyingagainst said cage.

5. An electric lamp socketand having anannular depression, and

a separate and detachable resilient bumper surrounding said sleeve andseated in said annular depression.

a 6. An lectric lamp unit comprising alamp, a lamp socket, a cage, and aresilient bumper,

said cage surrounding the lamp as a guard and having its rear endattached aroundsaid ly of the rear-of said cage.

unit comprising asock et, a lamp, a safety sleeve surrounding saidvmasses is laid on the mild, whereby said forward rim is adapte toactvasa tiltin fulcrum for said unit, such fulcrujm being ocated asubstantial distance forwardof the rear of said cage. v

7. An electric lamp unit comprising a lamp, a lamp socket, a cage, and aresilient bumper, said-cage surrounding the lamp as a guard ,and' havingits rear end attached around said socket, said bumper beingsubstantially'funnel shaped and having its small end surrounding thesocket in the rear of said cage and being rigid with said socket, saidbumper having its intermediate portion extending a substantial distance.forward of the small end of said bumper and around said cage, andhaving. its large end constituting a forward rim, said forward rim beingof such major prominence relativeto said intermediate portion that itprevents said intermediate portion from touching the ground when saidunit is laid on the ground, a part of said intermediate portion bein incontact with the outside of said cage an having an annular clearancespacebetween said forward rim and said cage, whereby support is given tosaid forward rim from said cage and the resiliency of said forward rimis maintained due to'said clearance space, said forward rim acting as atilting fulcrum for said unit and being located a substantial distanceforward- Intestimonywhereof, the signature of the inventor is aflixedhereto.

. JOSEPH .P. nilsmu.

- socket, said. bumper being substantially funl nel shaped and havingits small end surrounding thesocket in the rear of said cage andbeing-rigid with said socket, said bumper having its intermediateportion extending a Y substantial distance forward of the small end ofsaid bumper and around'said cage, and

havingits large end constituting a forward rim, said forward rim beingof such major prominence relative to said intermediate portion that itprevents said intermediate portion from touching the ground when saidunit

